Your son, Aiden, rushes up to you and clings to your leg.

"Mommy! I watched a man get taught a lesson by Daddy. It was so exciting; there was so much blood," Aiden giggles, and you feel a sense of unease wash over you.

Ryder enters, hanging his coat, and you can't help but notice his bruised and bloody knuckles. The room becomes thick with tension as Ryder looks at you, wearing a smirk.

"Next time, you can grab a bat and join in, son," he chuckles, and Aiden grins.

“No he will not,” you say.

Ryder ignores your protest, his gaze fixed on you for a moment before he turns to Aiden.

"Run along, kiddo. Mommy and daddy need to talk," Ryder says, gesturing for the boy to leave the room.

Aiden pouts but obeys, walking out of the room and closing the door behind him, leaving you alone with Ryder. As the door clicks shut, a silence fills the air, heavy with unspoken tension.